Spanish word

complicación

Pronunciation

IPA/komplikaˈθjon/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncomplication

Example

Durante el viaje hubo una complicación.

During the trip there was a complication.

Illustration for complicación (complication)

More examples

Durante la operación surgió una complicación médica.

During the operation, a medical complication developed.

Core concept

An unexpected branch that obstructs a plan's progress.

Common phrases

  • complicación médica

    medical complication

  • sufrir una complicación

    have a complication

  • manejar una complicación

    handle a complication

Similar words

problema: A matter or issue that requires solving or attention.
dificultad: A condition that makes progress difficult or an activity hard to carry out.
contratiempo: An unexpected setback that disrupts plans or causes delay.
inconveniente: An unfavorable fact or detail that causes annoyance or makes things less convenient.

Definition in Spanish

Suceso o dificultad que añade complejidad a una situación; también, problema médico que surge durante una enfermedad o intervención.

Word origin

From Latin complicare 'to fold together' (com- 'together' + plicare 'to fold'), adopted into Spanish as complicación to name an entangling or additional difficulty.

Usage tips

  • When describing that a situation became more difficult, Spanish often uses the reflexive verb complicarse (La situación se complicó) rather than an English-style 'there was a complication'.

Other meanings

  • medical complicationnoun

Opposites

  • simplificaciónsimplificationnoun
  • simplicidadsimplicitynoun

Related words

  • complicarcomplicateverb
  • complicadocomplicatedadjective

Word lists with this word